Culture and Prime Time Television Essay

â€Å"Cultural studies is a critical approach that focuses attention on the role of the media as a principal means by which ideology is introduced and reinforced within contemporary culture. One of the central tenets of cultural studies is that the media promote the dominant ideology of a culture† (Silverblatt, 98). Primetime television, programming on television that airs between the hours of 7-10 p. m. central standard time, is one of the outlets that culture uses to deliver values; therefore, some of the shows that air on primetime television are a true reflection of dominant ideology/culture. Cultural studies and media literacy theories help to explain how this is evident in the messages delivered through many of the shows that air on primetime television. A few reality shows that reflect the dominant American culture/ideology are Keeping up with the Kardashians, America’s Next Top Model, and Run’s House. Keeping up with the Kardashians is an American reality television show that airs on primetime television. It documents the lives of the Kardashians and the Jenners. The Kardashians include Kim, Kourtney, Khloe, and Robert. They are the children of the late Robert Kardashian. The Jenners include Bruce, Kylie, Kendall, and Kris. Bruce and Kris Jenner are the parents of this blended family. Keeping up with the Kardashians became a major hit from inception. The show offers its audience the opportunity to learn more about the Kardashians. The show reveals secrets about the family that the audience wouldn’t otherwise know. For instance, it allowed the audience to learn details about scandals that took place in some of the Kardashians’ lives before they became famous. In addition, the show offers its audience the opportunity to share the family’s rise to fame. While Kim Kardashian is the most popular person on the show, many of her siblings are beginning to share the spotlight as a result of being on the show. â€Å"The imposition of an ideology within a culture is referred to as hegemony. Critical theorists like Stuart Hall argue that the worldviews presented through the media do not merely reflect or reinforce culture but in fact shape thinking by promoting the dominant ideology of a culture†(Silverblatt, 99). While keeping up with the Kardashians was more than likely created as a means of making money for both the producers and the family, the show probably has more of an effect on society than it believes that is does. On the current season of the show, Kourtney Kardashian is trying to get pregnant with her second child by Scott Disick, her first son’s father. Because Kourtney is famous and she and Scott are not married, the audience may begin to think that it is okay to have kids out of wedlock. This type of behavior seems to be becoming a dominant ideology. While this type of behavior occurs in our society, it was never accepted as freely as it is now. On another note, the shows does offer the conquer worldview where â€Å"striving for success is often portrayed as a test of personal resolve, requiring discipline, sacrifice, and commitment† (Silverblatt, 111). On Keeping up with the Kardashians, Kris, Kim, Kourtney, and Khloe work very hard to be successful. They are very disciplined, committed, and driven for success. They sacrifice having relationships and time with family to pursue their dreams. This is not a dominant ideology in our culture. While hard work, commitment, and discipline equal success in American culture, not too many people will sacrifice being away from their families, especially their husbands for success. Keeping up with the Kardashians can also be viewed as a contest worldview. This means that the show suggests through the characters’ actions that â€Å"success is a sport, in which people compete against one another† (Silverblatt, 111). On the most recent episode of Keeping up with the Kardashians, Kim becomes very competitive to a point where she bets Kourtney $10,000 to play her in a game of chess. This bet was raised after Kim had already lost the first game of chess and had to become Kourtney’s maid for a day. As stated on the show, Kim’s drive to be the best, even in here career, makes her a very competitive person. On top of being very competitive, she is also a soar loser. She uses her gains as a way to measure her success against her sisters’ success. The contest worldview reminds me of the American phrase, â€Å"keeping up with the Jones. † Some people live to be like someone else and to have just as much or more than the next person. Keeping up with the Kardashians, as the name implies seems to think that society wants to be on their level in terms of success and fame. In a society and culture were possessions and wealth tend to define you, there is no wonder why the show is a huge hit. Unfortunately this is a part of the American culture; however, it is not a dominant ideology. America’s Next Top Model is another popular reality television show that airs on primetime television. The show was the first show of its kind that offered teenagers and young women the opportunity to compete on national television to become America’s Next Top Model. The show was a huge success from inception and quickly became one of the highest rated shows on network television that appealed to a wide audience of females ranging from age 18-34. By inviting America into the lives of beautiful models, the modeling industry, and beauty and fashion, America’s Next Top Model entered the market as a force to be reckoned with. While America’s Next Top Model emerged as a reflection of American culture, in many ways it also began to shape American culture. It became America’s new trendsetter, beauty expert, modeling mentor, and entertainment. Each season of America’s Next Top Model offers its audience 9-13 episodes with 10-14 contestants competing for the title of America’s Next Top Model. A contestant is eliminated on each episode of the show, which steepens the competition as the season progresses. To provide the audience with a more realistic feel for the industry, America’s Next Top Model offers drastic makeovers, personal life experiences of the contestants, gruesome challenges, traveling ventures, and extravagant living arrangements. Beauty is a huge part of the show as implied by the title of the show, but talent along with ambition plays a major role as well. According to Silverblatt, â€Å"the personal values of the media communicator are interwoven with membership in a number of subcultures based upon gender, ethical/racial identity, stage of life, and class which operate according to separate value systems. In order to identify a value system operating in a media production, it is of paramount importance to define its culture† (Silverblatt, 109). It is evident that America’s Next Top Model shares an American culture. Not only does the producer, Tyra Banks, share this same American culture, but she also shares other subcultures with her audience, which includes gender, stages of life, and race. Analyzing characters is a strategy that Silverblatt addresses as a way to identify the value system operating within media presentations. â€Å"Heroes and Heroines embody those qualities that society considers admirable. Heroes generally prevail in media entertainment programming because they embody the values that are esteemed within the culture† (Silverblatt, 109). Both Tyra Banks and the contestants of America’s Next Top Model signify beauty and talent, which are qualities that most women would love to have. These girls signify what our culture defines as model material and thus a reflection of a dominant ideology. They are tall, slim, have flawless skin, and are beautiful. These are qualities that some of the audience may either possess or admire in the contestants. â€Å"Successful media figures are in control, free to determine their own fates† (Silverblatt, 111). The contestants on the show are determined to be unique, to stand out from the crowd, and to win the title. They know that their fate on the show and for their life thereafter depends on their determination to win. These are roles that are shared by most Americans. American culture suggests that fate is in the hands of the beholder; therefore, this aspect of the show is a reflection of a dominant ideology. This implies that whatever happens in life is the sole responsibility of the individual and that success comes with being confident and in control. Run’s House is yet another American reality television show that airs on primetime television. The show introduces America to Reverend Run, also known as Run DMC, as a minister, his family, and his family life. Run’s House focuses on Reverend Run as provides parenting to his family of five children which range in age from age 8 to 21 with his loving wife, Justine. Viewers get a see Reverend Run in action as this hands-on, very involved, hip-hop gone minister dad negotiates everyday parenting challenges from the birds and the bees to helping with homework. Run’s House is a perfect example of American culture as we know it. This family of seven that consists of five children and a mother and father in the home prays together, eats together, and participate in family activities and trips together. While the children of the show still get in trouble for misbehaving or getting bad grades, they respect their parents. They seem to honor the values that they are taught and work hard to keep their parents proud. On one particular episode of the show, the audience learned that Vanessa and Angela were still virgins at age 18 and 21. In this same episode, the girls mention that they are going to wait until they are married before they engage in sexual activities. This is a lesson that is taught to many, but carried out by fewer. While this seems to be far from the norm in current day society, his aspect of the show could shape culture and have a huge impact on the younger audience who admire Angela and Vanessa. Run’s House seems to fit the Physical Ideal worldview which means that the family is admired because of the role that they play in this society. Reverend Run and his family seem to still be grounded with â€Å"old fashion† values in a society and culture where that seems to be fading, temptations are ever increasing, and infidelity is accepted. Some families no longer eat at the table together; nevertheless, pray together. In addition, some children are being raised in single family homes where the mother works most of the time. Living in a home where there are two parents that have vested interest in their children’s lives and that seem to be happy makes this family a physical ideal that most people would admire and would love to have. â€Å"Cultural studies and media literacy theories help to identify dominant ideology in media which includes primetime television† (Silverblatt, 98). The three reality television shows listed above are either deeply embedded in American culture or either shape it. For the most part, Keeping up with the Kardashians and America’s Next Top Model for the most part are both a true reflection of the contemporary dominant ideology. Run’s House on the other hand is s reflection of the modern ideology. The role that Reverend Run’s family plays in this society is more similar to Leave it to Beaver which aired in the 70’s and was very appropriate for that time. While the show had high ratings, it is not the norm compared to other reality television shows that air on primetime television.